Around 6 miles from Whitby is Falling Foss waterfall, a stunning 30-foot waterfall surrounded by woodland. There’s even a cosy tea room hidden in the forest to enjoy.
One of our favourite places to explore while staying on the North Yorkshire Coast is Falling Foss waterfall and the surrounding woodland area. It’s a perfect place to visit with the family as walking is not too difficult for younger children.
There’s even a beautiful tea garden to stop at, grab a drink, and admire the magical surroundings. Here’s all you need to know about Falling Foss waterfall.
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Falling Foss waterfall
Located in Sneaton Forest, the 30-foot-high waterfall is beautiful to visit at any time of year. However, be cautious during colder months, as the area will be muddy and slippy. We love visiting during Autumn after a rainy day to see it in full force and decorated with dancing autumn leaves. The colours are magnificent, and it’s a great time to take photos.
A free day trip as beautiful as this is not always easy to find! Follow a trail and explore the woodland; on a warm day, you can paddle in the shallow waters or pack a picnic and enjoy lunch with a view.
Is there parking for Falling Foss?
There is a good car park at Sneaton Forest that you can use when visiting the waterfall. Click here for the Forestry Commission Car Park.
How do you get to Falling Foss waterfall?
Follow the sloped path down and follow the wooden signs. They’ll point you straight towards the waterfall through the woodland. You then branch off to the right onto a smaller, gravelled path, and in a few minutes, you’ll be able to see the spectacular falls. It’s signposted well and a short 15-minute walk from the car park.
Is it suited for those with limited mobility/pushchairs or wheelchairs?
Sensible footwear is recommended. The terrain is challenging for those with walking difficulties and unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The path is occasionally uneven, with a few steep drop-offs. So take care, especially if you’re walking with children or dogs.
Can you swim in the pool at the waterfall?
Yes, you can; although the walk down to the waterfall is steep and often slippery, take caution. The waterfall has a small but deep plunge pool to swim in and shallower areas for paddling.
The Hermitage
While visiting Falling Foss, you can also visit the Hermitage, a cave carved from a large boulder. Inscribed above the door are the letters CG, the initials of the reputed builder, George Chubb, and the date 1790, presumably the date of construction.
Local legends say that it was the home to a Yorkshire hermit during the 18th century. It’s so interesting to see. Can you imagine living there?
Visit Falling Foss Tea Garden
After walking through the woodland and exploring the area, nothing is quite like a homemade treat sitting amongst the ancient forest and beside Falling Foss.
This rustic outdoor setting is welcoming and a perfect pit stop. They serve scones baked freshly on-site and combine them with lashings of jam and cream, delicious homemade cakes, savoury pastries, and warming homemade soups. To drink, they offer coffees, loose-leaf teas, and much more, all wherever possible from local suppliers.
It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy being surrounded by nature. There are toilet facilities and a small children’s play area, too. Find more information here.
Explore the surrounding area, Sneaton Forest
Sneaton Forest is a blend of old and new. The southern part predominantly consists of conifers planted in the 1960s, while the northern area features ancient broad-leaved woodland nestled among steep valleys.
Sneaton Forest offers a variety of paths that wind through the woodland and lovely picnic spots. It is ideal for exploring if you are extending a walk from Falling Foss.
Maybeck to Falling Foss Circular Route | 1.5 Hours
You can start this 1.5-hour walk from either May Beck or Falling Foss car park, both of which are free. Though smaller, the May Beck car park offers a quieter start, while the Falling Foss car park gets very busy at peak times.
While the May Beck to Falling Foss Circular Route is not pushchair-friendly, it is a safe and enjoyable walk for most. Though often uneven and potentially slippy in wet weather, the woodland paths are dog-friendly.
Begin at the entrance of the car park, instead of crossing the bridge turn right. Then, you will head uphill on a gravel track and immediately turn right along a level track again. Walk for 25 yards and then turn left up stone steps. Follow a winding path through bracken.
Next, you will go through a gate, turn right and follow the path into the woodland. Keep going straight along this path. At a junction with a stony track, turn right, downhill. Once you reach the bottom, you must turn left to cross a footbridge. Bear to the right and pass Falling Foss Tea Garden; keep to the fence to your left.
Below is the Falling Foss waterfall. From here, the path soon becomes unfenced, so please take care if you go down to the waterfall; we don’t recommend this for children as it can be very slippery. Next, you go through a gap in an old low wall to reach a signpost for the Falling Foss car park. Turn right here and go uphill through the woodland. Next, you will go through another gap in a wall at the top and bear right.
Take the track at the far end of the car park and follow the path down through the woodland. A path joins from the right, and you continue down left to cross a footbridge. Continue through the forest beside May Beck. Finally, you will go up the steps and through a gate. Continue ahead along the beck to return to the car park.
The Falling Foss waterfall and the surrounding area are magical places to visit. We love them for a family day out, away from screens and connecting with nature. Let us know if you have visited Falling Foss Waterfall in the comments.
Falling Foss tea rooms well worth a visit excellent food and facilities, and the falls are beautiful. Also worth a visit the fish box by the harbour in whitby. Best Fish and chips in town.
Hi is this suitable for older people that have mobility problems please
Hi Beryl, unfortunately, the area is not suitable for people with mobility issues. The path to the tea garden from the car park is quite steep and the ground is uneven in places.